Freightliner

Cascadia With a Digital Dash

Cascadia with a digital dash

For someone without much familiarity with the Freightliner Cascadia 126 36, or any Cascadia with a digital dash, a driver simply has to fold down the sun visor and take a shot with their phone of the QR code placed there, this sends them to a series of instructional videos on all of the control systems in the truck. 

Everything from connecting to bluetooth, to using the gear control stalks, to adjusting the seat, and more is covered. A simple solution for a driver who is unfamiliar with the way the truck works.

This may well be needed when trying to drive the in cab display unit directly in front of the driver. The LCD screen is set in the middle of the dash. There are plenty of menus to scroll through and a number of options as to what is displayed when driving. 

This version of the Cascadia is fitted with the all digital dash. Basically, it looks like two large iPads, one directly in front of the driver and the other on the central binnacle. All of the essentials sit in front of the driver, with an information screen in the middle, where optional read outs can be selected, like average fuel consumption, digital road speed or radio station selection. The overall look of these screens is very functional with a hint of Star Trek.

Cascadia with a digital dash

The central binnacle screen gives you a read out of the less essential data, with a navigation and entertainment system included. All of the early models of the Cascadia came into the country with the old fashioned analog dash, which still included the information screen in front of the driver. Now, the less conservative early adopters are starting to option the screens, but analog still predominates. Of course, they are all digital, but it’s a matter of perception, for many.

Even with all of this technology and sci-fi screens, it’s still an old fashioned layout. Having the key right down by the right knee and the old style lights switch. Although the light switch now has an A on it, so automatic lights activation is fitted. The wipers can also be set to auto.

The steering wheel has the obligatory array of buttons and it does take time to get which one does what and when. However, after a while the hands tend to remember where to go for the cruise control etc. These buttons also control what you can see of the screen directly in front of the driver, while the entertainment screen is a touch screen.

Cascadia with a digital dash

One for the traditionalists, is the maxi-brake set-up, the US is not going to stop requiring them any time soon and Freightliner are not heading down the electronic parking brake road at this point. There maybe legislation in the pipeline in the US, so if this eventuates, Freightliner will probably include it, as it will simply be another component to come across from the current Benz product.

As with any multiplexed truck all of the main switches are configurable and can be placed in the operator’s preferred positions. There is a mix of modern switching linked to the CANbus and more traditional separately wired options like beacons. 

Under this 36 inch bunk, the roll out fridge is an option. There’s also a set of controls in the bunk area, for air conditioning, lights etc. Buyers can customise the cabin interiors, if they so wish, with wood grain paneling and when you get up into the bigger 48 and 60 inch cabins, raised roofs and a number of cupboard and storage options come into play.

 

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